My 1.4TSi "Oil Change service Due" warning has appeared so I've contacted a couple of local (Manchester area) Skoda dealers to find out what they do.

Apart from unnecessary things like washing the car and topping up the windscreen washer bottle, (unnecessary because I'm perfectly capable of do both myself), they literally seem to just change the oil. Fair enough, though I'd have thought they'd check for any fault codes given that presumably they have to plug the car into their computer thingy to reset the service indicator.

 

But when I asked how they change the oil, both said they suck out the old oil via the dipstick, they confirm they no longer remove the sump drain plug. No doubt this is to save cost, but surely any "bits" in the sump that the filter hasn't captured will stay in the sump, and therefore will remain in circulation in the new oil. (Do you remember the days of magnetic drain plugs that would collect all the steel swarf?)

And presumably not all the old oil is removed, the dirtiest residue remains at the bottom of the sump .

When I change oil myself on a car, the new oil always looks nice and golden for a few thousand miles afterwards, but the oil in my previous petrol Yeti always looked dark, even after a service. If the drain plug isn't removed, this is probably the reason....  not all the oil is removed.

 

Is this method common to all Skoda agents?

Lookers in Harrogate drain the oil Via the Sump Plug

 

Can you ask them to Drain the Oil Via the Sump Plug and ask if you can watch while they do it.

Edited 18 March, 20179 yr by Auric Goldfinger

The Wash might be done at the end, but should be first as a customer might present a dirty car and a Body Inspection & report is part of the Servicing & Maintenance.

As should be a Road test and report and a Diagnosis and any Software update and report.

The checks of visual checks of Steering. suspension. brakes, tyres, wipers etc, maybe a lube of locks,. a top up of fluids etc.

Pollen filter is at Major Services, as is Air Filter and other things, unless obviously they need changing, and then the owner should be informed in the report. 

and the parts are extra.

Resetting the Service Computer as the Customer wants, Fixed or Flexible.

 

If all you want is an Oil Filter & Oil change just ask and pay for that, because that is not £139 plus worth.

Maybe do not go to Skoda if they do not want to charge for just what they actually do.

 

PS

If they do not actually supply and a new sump plug then tell them not to charge £2 or so plus 20% VAT because that is Fraud, 

& supply the unopened washer fluid if they never had to use it but add it to the invoice / bill again there is VAT being charged so you can not charge VAT if you had supplied nothing.

http://skoda.co.uk/owners/service-and-maintenance/simply-fixed 

Edited 18 March, 20179 yr by Awayoffski

10 minutes ago, Awayoffski said:

The Wash might be done at the end, but should be first as a customer might present a dirty car and a Body Inspection & report is part of the Servicing & Maintenance.

As should be a Road test and report and a Diagnosis and any Software update and report.

The checks of visual checks of Steering. suspension. brakes, tyres, wipers etc, maybe a lube of locks,. a top up of fluids etc.

Pollen filter is at Major Services, as is Air Filter and other things, unless obviously they need changing, and then the owner should be informed in the report. 

and the parts are extra.

Resetting the Service Computer as the Customer wants, Fixed or Flexible.

 

If all you want is an Oil Filter & Oil change just ask and pay for that, because that is not £139 plus worth.

Maybe do not go to Skoda if they do not want to charge for just what they actually do.

 

Thanks Awayoffski, but I'm not asking for details of Skoda's standard or major services, I want to know how they actually change the oil.

It's a 10 month old car, and the service indicator is saying an "Oil Service" is needed. This is an interim oil service, not a standard or major one. Only a basic oil change is done at 9200 miles. A traditional service isn't due for another 9000 miles or so.

It's not that I want just an oil change, I'm just having the car serviced in accordance with Skoda's policy.

 

So back to the original question put a different way; is draining the oil via the dipstick actually a Skoda approved policy?

Well you have to ask the place doing it and get them to confirm with the Technician.

ie Draining or sucking out,.  there are not cheap or interim and properly done oil changes, just Oil & Filter changes.

My answer was to your post that all it was near enough is a Wash & Vac and change the Oil.  That is not what it is or should be,. 

and Service Desk Employees should know that.

 

 

You must be on Fixed Servicing,. so 9,400 miles or 372 days which ever comes first.

That is not an Interim, it is a Fixed Service.  or Minor Service.

http://volkswagen.co.uk/owners/servicing/regimes 

Edited 18 March, 20179 yr by Awayoffski

6 minutes ago, Awayoffski said:

Well you have to ask the place doing it and get them to confirm with the Technician.

My answer was to your post that all it was near enough is a Wash & Vac and change the Oil.  That is not what it is or should be,. 

and Service Desk Employees should know that.

 

That's precisely what I did do.... I asked the technicians at both local dealerships how they change the oil, and both said they suck it out via the dipstick.

Is that Skoda policy? If so, that can't have helped with the excessive oil consumption problems on 1.8TSi engines!

Edited 18 March, 20179 yr by speedsport

Well if you do not want that go elsewhere. 'Simply Clever'.

 

Skoda UK do not have policies, these are Official Dealerships,  go to a VW or AUDI  Dealership and say you want the Sump Plug replaced with Oil Changes.

Or tell the Skoda Dealership what you want on your car.

 

PS.

your first post said you contacted a couple of Manchester Dealers, so was it Technicians at that dealerships you were speaking to and not just some other employees?

Best post which Dealerships that just basically do a Wash and Vacuum and also vacuum out the oil and top up washer bottles, 

they are not following Skoda Service Schedules / Guidelines if that their lot.

Edited 18 March, 20179 yr by Awayoffski

John, it seems to have become a common way to remove oil at an "intermediate" service across lots of makes, not just Skoda. If used properly the suction device should remove 99% of the oil, since the tube should go down to the lowest part of the sump. I have even heard that on some cars it is the only way to do it, as there is no sump plug (Smart car??)

 

I know my dealer used the sump plug for my intermediate service as they charged for the new sealing ring. But then I trust my dealer and have been invited into the workshop to see them working.

^^^ Does that mean that at Fixed Service intervals they do it but not at Major Services or when on Variable Services, there they do not Suck out the Oil?

2 hours ago, Llanigraham said:

John, it seems to have become a common way to remove oil at an "intermediate" service across lots of makes, not just Skoda. If used properly the suction device should remove 99% of the oil, since the tube should go down to the lowest part of the sump. I have even heard that on some cars it is the only way to do it, as there is no sump plug (Smart car??)

 

I know my dealer used the sump plug for my intermediate service as they charged for the new sealing ring. But then I trust my dealer and have been invited into the workshop to see them working.

 

Thanks Graham, that's encouraging, though I'd still prefer to remove the plug and leave it to drain. Not that a garage with its time constraints will want to leave it to drain for long if that's all they are doing under the car - they'll want the car off the ramp ASAP.

I also wonder if having the RRP's larger sump-shield makes access to the sump plug difficult ? Must admit, I've not been under the car to check that aspect.

 

 

As for which process they use & when Awayoffski, it may be that at an "oil change only" service they suck the oil out as there's no need to put a car on a ramp (assuming the filter is accessible from above too), whereas doing a standard or major service does entail underbody checks so a ramp is involved anyway.

On the other hand, it could merely be down to the preference of the 'technician', rather than the type of service being undertaken.

 

I guess I'll just have to talk to the service bod when I take the car in and use gut instinct based on what he says. 

 

If only everything in life was as simple as......  !!

I thought you had talked to technicians already as you said you did. 'You spoke to the technicians at 2 local dealerships.'

 

Your car might be in for a Minor / Annual Service but if it is not on a ramp then something is far wrong with the Servicing & Maintenance, 

Body Checks which include being under a vehicle.

WHEN THERE WERE SERVICE BOOKS THE ' BODY CONDITION REPORT' pages were after every service.

They 'Skoda' used to call them 'Minor' or 'Inspection / Major Services', Body condition should be checked each time.

 

If you want a Sump Plug out then just ask or do that, you know how to do oil changes.

 

Everything in life is as simple, you are the paying customer, so pay for the job you want doing.

If they do not do the Servicing as you wish then just walk away.

 

?

Where do you keep seeing 'Oil change only services' at Skoda Main Dealerships' and how much are they quoting for these?

Edited 18 March, 20179 yr by Awayoffski

1 hour ago, Awayoffski said:

I thought you had talked to technicians already as you said you did. 'You spoke to the technicians at 2 local dealerships.'

 

Your car might be in for a Minor / Annual Service but if it is not on a ramp then something is far wrong with the Servicing & Maintenance, 

Body Checks which include being under a vehicle.

WHEN THERE WERE SERVICE BOOKS THE ' BODY CONDITION REPORT' pages were after every service.

They 'Skoda' used to call them 'Minor' or 'Inspection / Major Services', Body condition should be checked each time.

 

If you want a Sump Plug out then just ask or do that, you know how to do oil changes.

 

Everything in life is as simple, you are the paying customer, so pay for the job you want doing.

If they do not do the Servicing as you wish then just walk away.

 

?

Where do you keep seeing 'Oil change only services' at Skoda Main Dealerships' and how much are they quoting for these?

 

Why do you insist in confusing the issue in virtually every post you reply to !!

The O/P asked a quite specific question regarding 'normal' practice at Skoda dealerships.

If you know the answer, say it, if not please don't go off on a ramble about car washing and body inspections !

 

Normal practice was remove sump plug, oil filter and drain. 

Replace Oil filter, sump plug and refill.

 

Things change as does normal practice.

The OP is saying he asked 2 Dealership Technicians and they suck out via the Oil Dip Stick tube, it was simple to ask, 

do you do that at Fixed / Annual Services and Major or Variable services. 

Not that confusing is it?

Let's start again!

I was merely asking if it is normal, approved, Skoda practice to drain the oil by sucking it from the sump via the dipstick tube because personally, I don't like that method.

Graham (Llanigraham) has answered (above) that it not uncommon in the industry. Understandably, he cannot advise whether or not it is Skoda policy to do it that way but says it should be ok if done properly.

 

Then we seem to get confusion about what a service entails......

 

On a new Skoda (I don't know if it's all models, but certainly on post 2015 Yetis) there appear to be 3 types of service.

 

1.  Oil Change (on recent cars approx every 9200 miles - as advised by Maxidot.)

•        This doesn't appear to be affected by use as Maxidot on my car has shown the 'next service due' mileage at 9200 miles since about 3 weeks old.
•        I cant find a Skoda schedule to show that anything else is done at this service other than a visual inspection of the external appearance of the car plus topping up washer fluid and cleaning the car.

2. Interim service, otherwise referred to by Skoda as "Oil Change & Inspection". This appears to be due at about 18 months/18,000 miles though this could be different on "Variable Interval Servicing" cars.

• Oil & filter change (fully synthetic oil)
• Vehicle inspection test and report*
• Full vehicle road test**
• Vehicle & software enhancements from ŠKODA’s database
• Replacement pollen filter †
• Diagnostic check including report
• Re-set service interval display
• Wash and vacuum
• ŠKODA stamp in service book

3. Major Service - helpfully referred to as a Major Service by Skoda:

• Everything from a minor service
• Replacement air filter †
• Spark plugs † (petrol engine) or fuel filter † (diesel engine)
• Remove wheels and check brakes
• Check/adjust tension of all drive belts
• Check/replenish gearbox oil (where applicable)
• Check/replenish final drive oil (where applicable)
• Check suspension system
• Check heating/aircon operation

I hope the above clarifies what a service is. In my original question, I was only talking about the first one - the "Oil Change Service".

 

(Lights blue touchpaper an stands well back!)

47 minutes ago, graham47 said:

 

Why do you insist in confusing the issue in virtually every post you reply to !!

The O/P asked a quite specific question regarding 'normal' practice at Skoda dealerships.

If you know the answer, say it, if not please don't go off on a ramble about car washing and body inspections !

 

 

Life is a lot easier when you put certain people in your "Ignore" list.

I've got 2 people in mine, one is Scots and one is Australian.

3 minutes ago, speedsport said:

Let's start again!

I was merely asking if it is normal, approved, Skoda practice to drain the oil by sucking it from the sump via the dipstick tube because personally, I don't like that method.

Graham (Llanigraham) has answered (above) that it not uncommon in the industry. Understandably, he cannot advise whether or not it is Skoda policy to do it that way but says it should be ok if done properly.

 

Then we seem to get confusion about what a service entails......

 

On a new Skoda (I don't know if it's all models, but certainly on post 2015 Yetis) there appear to be 3 types of service.

 

1.  Oil Change (on recent cars approx every 9200 miles - as advised by Maxidot.)

•        This doesn't appear to be affected by use as Maxidot on my car has shown the 'next service due' mileage at 9200 miles since about 3 weeks old.
•        I cant find a Skoda schedule to show that anything else is done at this service other than a visual inspection of the external appearance of the car plus topping up washer fluid and cleaning the car.

2. Interim service, otherwise referred to by Skoda as "Oil Change & Inspection". This appears to be due at about 18 months/18,000 miles though this could be different on "Variable Interval Servicing" cars.

• Oil & filter change (fully synthetic oil)
• Vehicle inspection test and report*
• Full vehicle road test**
• Vehicle & software enhancements from ŠKODA’s database
• Replacement pollen filter †
• Diagnostic check including report
• Re-set service interval display
• Wash and vacuum
• ŠKODA stamp in service book

3. Major Service - helpfully referred to as a Major Service by Skoda:

• Everything from a minor service
• Replacement air filter †
• Spark plugs † (petrol engine) or fuel filter † (diesel engine)
• Remove wheels and check brakes
• Check/adjust tension of all drive belts
• Check/replenish gearbox oil (where applicable)
• Check/replenish final drive oil (where applicable)
• Check suspension system
• Check heating/aircon operation

I hope the above clarifies what a service is. In my original question, I was only talking about the first one - the "Oil Change Service".

 

(Lights blue touchpaper an stands well back!)

 

I think the best thing for you to do is ask a complete random question on any subject you like and if you wait long enough someone will come up with an answer to the question you were going to ask in the first place.

 

 

It seems your understanding might be the Confusion.

There is Fixed Servicing at 9,400 miles (10,000) or 372 days, or Variable / Flexible Servicing at 18,500 miles or so or 2 years.

http://volkswagen.co.uk/owners/servicing/regimes 

 

Changing the names from Minor & Major / Inspection as was might confuse some. 

2 Grahams of which ever spelling with 'Ignore Buttons' that do not seem to function and neither added anything that clarifies the OP in anyway, 

the one from the Welsh member seemed to imply that if a Minor service had the Oil out the Dip Stick & that at a Major service it is drained from the sump and a new sump plug used.

 

??

So how much do Skoda Main Dealerships in the UK charge for an 'Interim Service' and where do they advertise these?

Edited 18 March, 20179 yr by Awayoffski

I certainly wasn't confused by the various Skoda service regimes, I have merely quoted from a Skoda leaflet that I picked up at my local agent.

It refers to 3 different service types, exactly as I quoted. It doesn't give any more (or any less) info than I have quoted.

 

VW may specify certain service intervals for VW's but I drive a Skoda, not a Volkswagen. Yes I know Skoda is owned by VW, but Skoda UK (not VW) tell the owner of a Skoda what the service regime is, no matter how many VW parts there are in my car. 

 

I was asking a simple question that no-one other than Llanigraham has attempted to address.

 

I surrender!  I'm clearly not going to get a sensible reply, and don't like being told my understanding might be the confusion.

?

How much is this Interim Service'?

 

Parks of Hamilton a Main Skoda Dealership sell different services cheaper than Skoda Fixed Price Servicing (at participating dealerships'. 

Bronze, Silver & Gold. 

 

As to Standard Practice as you see in Manchester it can be different from a Welsh Main Dealer or one in Scotland or maybe even in Manchester or Leeds.

Extract from the dealers manual Drain off or suction off engine oil.doc

Pop Corn and Stella ordered, it's going to be a long night

25 minutes ago, Auric Goldfinger said:

Pop Corn and Stella ordered, it's going to be a long night

 

Nah! Off to a concert then a pint or two!

 

Just now, Llanigraham said:

 

Nah! Off to a concert then a pint or two!

 

 

I'll save you some Graham for when you get back

M'Lady looks over my shoulder.  "You on the forum again?  What's so interesting?".  I explain that someone had asked about the official Škoda workshop procedure for an oil change.  "All that chat, for a simple oil change?!" says m'Lady (who did a car maintenance course back when you had to know how to do the points); "Haven't they got anything better to do?". 

 

I couldn't think of an answer  :-S  

Edited 18 March, 20179 yr by Brijo